EghtesadOnline: Rising production costs and prices of essential goods have now spread to the poultry industry.

The price of each tray for 30 eggs has increased by 3,000 rials ($0.02) from 1,000-1,500 rials ($0.009-0.013), while that of boxes (used to hold trays) has risen to 25,000-30,000 rials ($0.22-0.27) from 10,000 rials ($0.09) in the past three weeks, the head of the Union of Producers of Egg-Laying Hens told IRNA on Saturday.

Reza Torkashvand noted that the rise causes an increase of 2,500 rials ($0.02) per kilogram on egg prices.

According to the official, eggs are currently sold at 73,000-75,000 rials ($0.66-0.68) per kilogram at farms, while each tray of eggs is sold at 150,000-160,000 rials ($1.36-1.45) in fruit and vegetable markets. Torkashvand emphasized that there is currently no need for egg imports, as domestic production fully meets demand. Iran’s egg production stood at 940,000 tons last year (March 2016-17), according to Financial Tribune.